The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 142: Chapter 142

At the barracks, Amy excitedly scanned the warriors getting ready for the day's training, her eyes searching for Lylah in particular.
When she didn’t see her, she approached a female warrior. “Isla, have you seen Lylah?”
“No,” Isla shook her head. “I guess she’s in her room. Is she planning to always come late?” she sighed. “I was going to check on her, but do that for me, Amy.”
“Oh, I have a message for her,” Amy smiled and immediately left to find Lylah.
Amy jogged down the corridor, humming softly under her breath—a habit when she was nervous or excited. Today, it was both.
As she neared Lylah’s chamber, she slowed, hearing thuds and angry grunts. Her smile disappeared.
“Lylah?” she whispered, rushing to the room—and gasped at the sight.
Lylah was crying so hard. The wall, her fists, and her forehead were bloody. She was hurting herself.
“Lylah!” Lylah screamed her own name, slamming her head against the wall and cursing herself. “You fucking little pathetic bitch!!!”
Thud! She hit her head again, causing Amy to flinch.
“You can’t even do one thing! Just one thing your sister trusted you with, and you blew it like a fucking coward!!!” Thud! “What’s it gonna be, huh?!!!” Thud! “How does it feel leaking every fucking thing?!!!”
"You're pathetic!!!"
Thud.
"Fucking pathetic!!!"
Thud.
"You always ruin everything!!!"
The next thud sounded louder, and Amy couldn’t take it anymore. She rushed forward and pulled Lylah away from the wall with force.
Lylah staggered, falling onto her butt, her head lowered as blood gushed down her face.
Amy crouched before her, gripping her shoulders.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Lylah?! Are you out of your freaking mind?! Why are you hurting yourself!”
It was the first time Amy had ever yelled.
Lylah’s fingers dipped into her tousled hair, more tears streaming down her face.
“I… I just destroyed everything Amy,” Lylah’s voice trembled, making Amy’s heart shatter. “I wasn’t careful enough, and… everything is ruined because of me. My sister is going to hate me for this.”
“That bitch who used me must have left the Citadel to tell Toran,” Lylah’s voice broke with heavy emotion. “It’s all my fault. It's all my fucking fault.”
Amy didn’t understand what she was talking about but decided to deliver the message she’d been sent to give.
“Speaking of your sister,” Amy said, and Lylah slowly raised her red-rimmed eyes to her. “She just arrived not long ago.”
Lylah immediately burst out of the room, almost falling flat. She bolted down the hallway, heading for the Sacred Moon Wing.
“Lylah! You’re bleeding—see the healer first!” Amy yelled after her, but Lylah didn’t hear a word of it.
“Aria…” she muttered through her tears. She had to warn her.
•
“Urgh. What a long journey,” Arianna muttered as she laid flat on her bed, breathing heavily.
The softness of sheet so tempting, and all she wanted to do was to close her eyes and let the darkness take charge.
Her stay in her pack had been worth it. Her people missed her so much—many brought food, drinks, and fruit, celebrating her achievement. The adoration made her heart swell like never before.
Even Nyra and Falcon had been treated kindly. She wished Lylah had come with her. Of course, this wouldn’t be the last visit she made so the next she'll go, she bring her sister along.
Arianna sighed in satisfaction. She would have loved to spend more time there, but she still had so much to learn at the palace.
“I’ll give you a massage soon, my lady,” Nyra said politely. Their relationship had grown stronger, and Arianna had even gotten to know more about her.
"So, wanna tell me what's going on between you and Falcon?" Arianna sat up with a teasing smile.
Nyra's face heat up. "There's nothing... We just became friends... That's it?"
"Hm... Friends huh?"
“Should I prepare a nice bath for you?” Nyra quickly changed the topic and Arianna chuckled amusingly.
“Hm,” Arianna nodded. “I’m so going to need it—but that’ll be right after I go see Lylah.”
“Oh, I sent someone to fetch her already,” Nyra replied, causing Arianna to gasp.
“I was going to surprise her,” she pouted. “I love that adorable face of hers whenever I do.”
“You’re not feeling too well, remember?” Nyra said. “Your body needs rest. Either way, your sister will be happy to see—”
That was all Nyra could say before the door burst open and Lylah came rushing in.
Arianna and Nyra froze at the sight of her. Blood dripped from Lylah’s head down to her shoulder, soaking her fabric. Tears and sweat marred her face as she breathed heavily.
“Lylah,” Arianna muttered in shock as she slowly rose to her feet.
“Aria… they…” Her younger sister croaked, as though the air in her lungs had vanished. “They know… and it was all because of me…”
“Lylah, why are you bleeding? Who hurt you?!” Anger flashed in Arianna’s eyes.
Before she could approach her, the door burst open again and three men in black cloaks entered. One of them instantly grabbed Lylah, pressing a knife to her neck.
“Hey!” Arianna roared, but the concealed man warned,
“It won’t take a second to cut her neck open.”
Arianna froze, her glare like daggers, while Lylah hissed, wanting to reach for her dagger—only to remember she had rushed here without it.
Shit!
“Don’t you dare, girl,” the man holding her warned, his voice like a death knell. With her bloodied face, Lylah’s vision was slightly blurred.
“What do you want?” Arianna growled, the sound rumbling from deep in her chest.
“Simple. We are here to kill your sister,” the male holding her sister let out a dark chuckle.
Lylah’s eyes widened. They wanted to kill her? Wait… could this be a trap?
Without hesitation, the male made to plung the knife into Lylah’s stomach.
Arianna’s head snapped.
"Get your hands off my sister!!!"
The fire in the fireplace blazed in response to her command. Just before the knife could reach Lylah, she shot a stream of fire at the male’s head.
Lylah dropped from his hold.
The male screamed, as his head burst into flames. Only then did Lylah noticed the clothing beneath his cloak…
The yellow badge—it marked him as a soldier.
The other two men drew their weapons to attack.
“Aria, don’t! It’s a trap!” Lylah yelled.
The second man lunged at Nyra. His blade grazed her waist, only leaving a scratch thanks to her quick dodge.
Kill them.
Arianna’s inner dragon stirred, anger boiling through her veins. She launched another burst of fire—its impact sliced the man who had hurt Nyra like a blade, nearly severing his hand.
The last attacker was hit as well, sent flying across the room and crashing into the wall, flames engulfing him.
“No,” Lylah whispered under her breath. And just like that, the door swung open again.
Lylah’s eyes widened at the sight of several armed soldiers, all bearing yellow badges. Yellow meant they were from the South—Emissary soldiers.
They all drew their swords, pointing them at Arianna.
Arianna also noticed the badges, and concern washed over her. She thought they were some assassins. Now she understood what Lylah had meant… They had found out—and had plotted to get evidence.
Her eyes met Lylah’s, which were filled with guilt. What in the world had happened while she was away?
“I’m sorry,” Lylah mouthed,
Arianna felt her world crumble. The urge to scream bubbled in her throat. And in that briefest moment, Lylah saw one of her nightmares reflected in Arianna’s eyes.
Disappointment.
Light footsteps echoed. The soldiers parted as a figure stepped forward.
Hands clasped behind his back, one holding the Forgotten Tales book, his broad shoulders straight, head held high. His aura radiated command.
He stopped just before the soldiers, his cold gaze locking with Arianna’s equally cold eyes.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
“Interesting,” Lord Valoreth muttered, “Who would’ve thought the king’s woman, of all people, is an Ouroboros?”